A shopkeeper has told how he collapsed in a pool of blood after he was stabbed in an attack by a masked robber.

Mohan Patel, 50, is recovering from stab injuries to his eye, wrist and hip in Bradford Royal Infirmary following the brutal attack at his newsagents and off licence in Tong Street at 5.45pm on Wednesday.

He has undergone surgery for the most serious wound to his wrist, which severed a vein to his hand, and to his eye which has received multiple stitching although doctors believe his sight has not been damaged.

He is expected to remain in hospital at least until next week but says he is determined to return to work once he has recovered.

And he has appealed for anyone with information about the attack to come forward.

Mr Patel said the raider burst in just as he was preparing to shut for the day.

"He came right to the counter, showed me the knife. I could see his whole body was shaking," he said. "He shouted, 'Give me the money, give me the money'."

He agreed to give the robber cash and was reaching for the till when the robber lashed out, slashing him across the eye.

The robber then plunged the knife into his wrist and a third time into his hip.

"The blood came out like a tap and I fell down on the floor.

"I don't know what happened afterwards. It all happened so quickly."

He said it was the first time in 15 years in the shop that there had been a robbery but he would return to work and step up security.

He had been buoyed by messages of support from customers and in particular from pupils at St John's First School who had sent get well messages.

"It's the first time anything like this has happened. All the customers are so friendly.

"It's my bread and butter and I will go back again.

"If anyone knows anything at all I would ask them to come forward and tell the police so it doesn't happen to anyone else."

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